4.6 
15 Huge shoutout to Wan K Lee, John Kim, and the crew for the fantastic job then did for my remodeling project! My project is a full kitchen and 2 bathrooms remodel. Like every remodeling job, this is a daunting task give to consider that there are many plans to make and lots of efforts you...
Lees Family ConstructionWe have worked with a several contractors during the years when we moved to new house. SOD builders is simply the best of all of them and we are lucky to have this company remodel our recent new house. Our major remodeling project included several difficulties due to irregularities in the...
SOD Home GroupThis would be my third project with Dan and his crew, and as expected it went well. I'll reiterate what i wrote in my previous review that one of the reasons I like working with Dan and his crew is that they are problem solvers. And with houses the way they are in the bay area, you are bound...
Morgan ConstructionThere were many challenges with the project, including structural, design, multiple visits/meetings with the township and Dan managed all of this with grace and patience.
The job was basically to restore existing structures to original, so no design was involved. OK is a very well organized operation. They coordinated with exterminator, completed a clean-up every day and at end of job. I am completely satisfied with the quality of the work done and the...
We finally decided to upgrade a parking area in front of our house. After considering different options, we decided to go with pavers to match our driveway. We dealt with David Alfaro at Ideal Engineering and the overall experience was great. He came out, gave an estimate and was able to...
In 2005, Steven and Kelly Egloff founded Bay Area Underpinning with the goal of providing a cost-effective, engineered solution to foundation settlement problems with an emphasis on educating customers. In 2023, BAU partnered with Groundworks, the nation’s leading and fastest growing foundation repair and water management solutions provider, to offer the best products in the industry and provide elite business management resources to their employees. BAU will now operate under the Groundworks name, while continuing to improve the customer experience and provide expertise and guidance from San Jose to Sacramento. Schedule your FREE inspection today! 1116054
"went horrible 2 week job took 7 months"
Cat D on April 2025
In 2005, Steven and Kelly Egloff founded Bay Area Underpinning with the goal of providing a cost-effective, engineered solution to foundation settlement problems with an emphasis on educating customers. In 2023, BAU partnered with Groundworks, the nation’s leading and fastest growing foundation repair and water management solutions provider, to offer the best products in the industry and provide elite business management resources to their employees. BAU will now operate under the Groundworks name, while continuing to improve the customer experience and provide expertise and guidance from San Jose to Sacramento. Schedule your FREE inspection today! 1116054
"went horrible 2 week job took 7 months"
Cat D on April 2025
ProStruct Engineering offers professional structural engineering services for residential building permits at reasonable prices. Our licensed and insured engineers have over 35 years of experience with 2,000+ completed projects, including new homes, additions, remodels, ADUs, retaining walls, load-bearing walls, seismic retrofits, foundation design, outdoor living spaces, and more. Our core values of integrity, responsibility, reliability, and ethics ensure affordable and high-quality services. We aim to make the home-building experience of California homeowners as stress-free as possible by delivering compliant and high-quality structural plans. We are committed to being cost-effective, with quick delivery in 2-3 weeks for most projects.
"Prompt customer service and delivery. Worked with a very knowledgeable and experienced structural engineer."
Karishma S on August 2023
ProStruct Engineering offers professional structural engineering services for residential building permits at reasonable prices. Our licensed and insured engineers have over 35 years of experience with 2,000+ completed projects, including new homes, additions, remodels, ADUs, retaining walls, load-bearing walls, seismic retrofits, foundation design, outdoor living spaces, and more. Our core values of integrity, responsibility, reliability, and ethics ensure affordable and high-quality services. We aim to make the home-building experience of California homeowners as stress-free as possible by delivering compliant and high-quality structural plans. We are committed to being cost-effective, with quick delivery in 2-3 weeks for most projects.
"Prompt customer service and delivery. Worked with a very knowledgeable and experienced structural engineer."
Karishma S on August 2023
Groundworks, formerly Bay Area Underpinning, specializes in helping homeowners with their residential and commercial foundation repair and concrete needs. Our top priority is providing high-quality home repair solutions and personalized service across the Sacramento and San Jose areas. With fully trained technicians, industry-leading products, and nationally backed warranties, Groundworks is here to restore your foundation. Schedule your FREE inspection today! 1116054
"We hired Groundworks CA (fka Bay Area Underpinning) for what we understood was a full foundation repair. We paid $42K. They only worked on the rear and never informed us that the front wasn’t included. Months later, while selling our home, a third-party engineer found $189K in unaddressed issues at the front. We were blindsided, lost our buyer, and suffered major financial and emotional stress. Groundworks later admitted they hadn’t measured the front. Their rushed “final inspection” months later felt reactive, not professional. When asked for a partial refund, they refused. We feel misled and abandoned. Avoid."
Dominick M on June 2025
Groundworks, formerly Bay Area Underpinning, specializes in helping homeowners with their residential and commercial foundation repair and concrete needs. Our top priority is providing high-quality home repair solutions and personalized service across the Sacramento and San Jose areas. With fully trained technicians, industry-leading products, and nationally backed warranties, Groundworks is here to restore your foundation. Schedule your FREE inspection today! 1116054
"We hired Groundworks CA (fka Bay Area Underpinning) for what we understood was a full foundation repair. We paid $42K. They only worked on the rear and never informed us that the front wasn’t included. Months later, while selling our home, a third-party engineer found $189K in unaddressed issues at the front. We were blindsided, lost our buyer, and suffered major financial and emotional stress. Groundworks later admitted they hadn’t measured the front. Their rushed “final inspection” months later felt reactive, not professional. When asked for a partial refund, they refused. We feel misled and abandoned. Avoid."
Dominick M on June 2025
For over 33 years, Drainage Pros has successfully eliminated drainage and standing water problems for residential and commercial clients in the greater San Francisco Bay Area. At Drainage Pros, we specialize in providing each of our clients with reliable cost effective, permanent drainage solutions. Drainage Pros is the Bay Area leader in installing drainage systems with guaranteed and predictable results. Because of our ability to eliminate standing water problems, we are the first and only company in the Bay Area that offers you in writing a "5 Year No Standing Water Guarantee!" This unique guarantee of ours is unequaled in the industry. We have the skills that many have come to trust for all their Bay Area drainage needs. Our expert team is well trained and detail oriented while addressing the causes of your drainage water problems. You can rely on us! We will handle any and all standing water problems you are experiencing. Our team is committed to providing you with personalized service, the utmost care and our complete dedication to all of your project needs. At Drainage Pros, we understand that providing drainage solutions is a specialized discipline requiring a specific skill-set and training. So, whether you need a French drain, a sump pump, or a surface drainage system, Drainage Pros are the professionals of choice to rely upon every time to get your job done right! Drainage Pros, Results Guaranteed!
"The entire project took 9 days and involved a crew that was exceptional in every way. From Terrie to Tom, Rich (the owner), Alberto (the project manager), Eusebio (Alberto's right-hand man), and the entire team--they were the most respectful, diligent, patient, and fexible crew I've ever worked with. The quality of their work was outstanding, and they took great care in respecting our property while delivering an excellent solution. From a value standpoint, their price represented the best value proposition. Given the decades of experience doing ONLY this, they are literally the only game in town in my opinion. I highly recommend this team. They genuinely care about their work and provide a top-notch service."
Richard L on October 2024
For over 33 years, Drainage Pros has successfully eliminated drainage and standing water problems for residential and commercial clients in the greater San Francisco Bay Area. At Drainage Pros, we specialize in providing each of our clients with reliable cost effective, permanent drainage solutions. Drainage Pros is the Bay Area leader in installing drainage systems with guaranteed and predictable results. Because of our ability to eliminate standing water problems, we are the first and only company in the Bay Area that offers you in writing a "5 Year No Standing Water Guarantee!" This unique guarantee of ours is unequaled in the industry. We have the skills that many have come to trust for all their Bay Area drainage needs. Our expert team is well trained and detail oriented while addressing the causes of your drainage water problems. You can rely on us! We will handle any and all standing water problems you are experiencing. Our team is committed to providing you with personalized service, the utmost care and our complete dedication to all of your project needs. At Drainage Pros, we understand that providing drainage solutions is a specialized discipline requiring a specific skill-set and training. So, whether you need a French drain, a sump pump, or a surface drainage system, Drainage Pros are the professionals of choice to rely upon every time to get your job done right! Drainage Pros, Results Guaranteed!
"The entire project took 9 days and involved a crew that was exceptional in every way. From Terrie to Tom, Rich (the owner), Alberto (the project manager), Eusebio (Alberto's right-hand man), and the entire team--they were the most respectful, diligent, patient, and fexible crew I've ever worked with. The quality of their work was outstanding, and they took great care in respecting our property while delivering an excellent solution. From a value standpoint, their price represented the best value proposition. Given the decades of experience doing ONLY this, they are literally the only game in town in my opinion. I highly recommend this team. They genuinely care about their work and provide a top-notch service."
Richard L on October 2024
We pride our company on reliability, great communication, integrity, and quality work. We strongly believe in giving our absolute best in all of our projects, no matter how big or small. We are experts in our field and will always keep you informed on your particular task or project in a manner that is understandable to you. We look forward to earning your business!
"Mahyar was knowledgeable and a great communicator. His report was clear and helpful. He was also prompt in responding. All-around pleasant to work with. Highly recommend this firm."
Liz G on April 2023
We pride our company on reliability, great communication, integrity, and quality work. We strongly believe in giving our absolute best in all of our projects, no matter how big or small. We are experts in our field and will always keep you informed on your particular task or project in a manner that is understandable to you. We look forward to earning your business!
"Mahyar was knowledgeable and a great communicator. His report was clear and helpful. He was also prompt in responding. All-around pleasant to work with. Highly recommend this firm."
Liz G on April 2023
Harlequin Designs and Engineering was recently founded by Civil Engineer, Christian Bratt, from Truckee, CA and is now based out of San Francisco. Christian is ready for any residential design challenges you have. With hands on experience in many trades do to his upbringing by his two brothers and father who are all contractors in the Tahoe/Truckee area, Christian has a true advantage over traditionally trained Architects and Engineers. Being able to implement a design, engineer it, and have a thorough understanding of how it will be built is a perfect storm for saving time, money, and materials.
Harlequin Designs and Engineering was recently founded by Civil Engineer, Christian Bratt, from Truckee, CA and is now based out of San Francisco. Christian is ready for any residential design challenges you have. With hands on experience in many trades do to his upbringing by his two brothers and father who are all contractors in the Tahoe/Truckee area, Christian has a true advantage over traditionally trained Architects and Engineers. Being able to implement a design, engineer it, and have a thorough understanding of how it will be built is a perfect storm for saving time, money, and materials.
At LEVEL, we are committed to common sense, real-world solutions. We pioneered LEVEL because, after years spent exploring all disciplines of civil and structural engineering in the building industry, we continually encountered the missing fundamentals in our own trade. These lost elements of service culture & exceptional business practice inevitably cost owners & entities untold stress and frustration; contractors lost time & money, realtors & lenders were left unable to satisfy their client's needs. We concluded that our capacity for A&E services could function at a higher level, thus, LEVEL Engineering & Inspections was founded. We serve your interests & provide knowledgeable, expert design, inspections, analysis, forensics, recommendations, and reporting. Whether your need is for permitting, forensics; new, remodel, or repair engineering designs; foundation problems; civil or architecture - let us help you navigate your Civil, Commercial, Residential Structural Engineering needs.
"Gang is super. He’s very knowledgeable and personable. He talking through all my questions and concerns and helped me sort through all the details to arrive at a well reasoned conclusion for what needs to be done next."
Matthew Q on September 2023
At LEVEL, we are committed to common sense, real-world solutions. We pioneered LEVEL because, after years spent exploring all disciplines of civil and structural engineering in the building industry, we continually encountered the missing fundamentals in our own trade. These lost elements of service culture & exceptional business practice inevitably cost owners & entities untold stress and frustration; contractors lost time & money, realtors & lenders were left unable to satisfy their client's needs. We concluded that our capacity for A&E services could function at a higher level, thus, LEVEL Engineering & Inspections was founded. We serve your interests & provide knowledgeable, expert design, inspections, analysis, forensics, recommendations, and reporting. Whether your need is for permitting, forensics; new, remodel, or repair engineering designs; foundation problems; civil or architecture - let us help you navigate your Civil, Commercial, Residential Structural Engineering needs.
"Gang is super. He’s very knowledgeable and personable. He talking through all my questions and concerns and helped me sort through all the details to arrive at a well reasoned conclusion for what needs to be done next."
Matthew Q on September 2023
Padir Consulting Engineers, is committed to excellence and continues to be an outstanding business in California. The company is in San Jose. Padir Consulting Engineers offers a full range of Architectural and structural services to the construction and building industry to the owners and contractors. Our services are guided by a fundamental principle of quality and innovation which dictates the development of effective solutions that satisfy the unique needs of owners, and developers. Our values and design philosophies are based on: Research on the new technologies, Innovation, Imagination, Experience, Hard work, and Teamwork. Please contact for any of your architectural or structural engineering needs, especially if you are looking for the good deals, cost-benefit project, and an innovative and unique design. Senior citizens, veterans, academics at school or universities, churches, and non-profit organizations are welcome for the discount. We accept all Credit Cards.
"I would rate your engineering design experience as excellent. Your skills in creating detailed drawings, problem-solving, and delivering innovative solutions are highly impressive."
Alen H on September 2025
Padir Consulting Engineers, is committed to excellence and continues to be an outstanding business in California. The company is in San Jose. Padir Consulting Engineers offers a full range of Architectural and structural services to the construction and building industry to the owners and contractors. Our services are guided by a fundamental principle of quality and innovation which dictates the development of effective solutions that satisfy the unique needs of owners, and developers. Our values and design philosophies are based on: Research on the new technologies, Innovation, Imagination, Experience, Hard work, and Teamwork. Please contact for any of your architectural or structural engineering needs, especially if you are looking for the good deals, cost-benefit project, and an innovative and unique design. Senior citizens, veterans, academics at school or universities, churches, and non-profit organizations are welcome for the discount. We accept all Credit Cards.
"I would rate your engineering design experience as excellent. Your skills in creating detailed drawings, problem-solving, and delivering innovative solutions are highly impressive."
Alen H on September 2025
HCSE, Inc. provides a unique "one-stop-shop" located in the Bay Area of California. Founded in 2008, HCSE, Inc. has a diverse team; from licensed designers, structural engineers and general contractors. Our projects range from small residential remodels/additions to commercial tenant improvements and large commercial structures. HCSE, Inc. understands how valuable your time is and we are committed to providing our industry leading expertise, onto your next project. Our team welcomes all challenges; on how we can make the process easier for all our clients and everyone involved. Your journey with us is important, and we take pride in making it memorable.
"Professional review of my damages"
Thomas D on April 2023
HCSE, Inc. provides a unique "one-stop-shop" located in the Bay Area of California. Founded in 2008, HCSE, Inc. has a diverse team; from licensed designers, structural engineers and general contractors. Our projects range from small residential remodels/additions to commercial tenant improvements and large commercial structures. HCSE, Inc. understands how valuable your time is and we are committed to providing our industry leading expertise, onto your next project. Our team welcomes all challenges; on how we can make the process easier for all our clients and everyone involved. Your journey with us is important, and we take pride in making it memorable.
"Professional review of my damages"
Thomas D on April 2023
Fire Rebuild & Recovery Services — Helping You Recover, Rebuild, and Move Forward If your home was affected by the recent LA fires, Vista Foundry is here to help you rebuild smarter and safer. With 48 years of experience, we specialize in guiding homeowners through the recovery process with precision and expertise. Our services include: 3D Scanning & Design Recreation: Recreate your home as it was or enhance it with smarter, safer designs. Insurance Advocacy & Claim Negotiation: Maximize your payout with detailed, accurate rebuild cost estimates and expert guidance during claim negotiations. Cost-Effective Design & Engineering Solutions: We create efficient, budget-conscious plans without compromising safety or quality. Code-Compliant Structural Engineering: Ensure your new home meets today’s safety standards. Permitting & Legalization Support: Simplify the approval process and avoid delays. We focus on giving you the tools, strategies, and advocacy to restore your property, protect your investment, and rebuild with confidence. Let us help you turn a challenging situation into an opportunity to rebuild stronger and more resilient. Schedule Your Free Consultation Today → https://www.vistafoundry.com/booking
Fire Rebuild & Recovery Services — Helping You Recover, Rebuild, and Move Forward If your home was affected by the recent LA fires, Vista Foundry is here to help you rebuild smarter and safer. With 48 years of experience, we specialize in guiding homeowners through the recovery process with precision and expertise. Our services include: 3D Scanning & Design Recreation: Recreate your home as it was or enhance it with smarter, safer designs. Insurance Advocacy & Claim Negotiation: Maximize your payout with detailed, accurate rebuild cost estimates and expert guidance during claim negotiations. Cost-Effective Design & Engineering Solutions: We create efficient, budget-conscious plans without compromising safety or quality. Code-Compliant Structural Engineering: Ensure your new home meets today’s safety standards. Permitting & Legalization Support: Simplify the approval process and avoid delays. We focus on giving you the tools, strategies, and advocacy to restore your property, protect your investment, and rebuild with confidence. Let us help you turn a challenging situation into an opportunity to rebuild stronger and more resilient. Schedule Your Free Consultation Today → https://www.vistafoundry.com/booking
No, it’s not legal for unlicensed individuals to conduct structural calculations for buildings or building repairs. Not only do licensing requirements prevent DIYers from tackling this project, but mistakes can also be extremely dangerous and put your property and anyone inside or near it at risk of severe injury or even death. You should always hire a licensed and certified local structural engineer to make structural calculations.
Yes, all states require structural engineers to carry the proper license, with specifics determined by each state. You can use Angi’s state licensing tool to confirm that the structural engineer you’re considering holds the required licensing to tackle your job. Hiring an unlicensed structural engineer will not only cause issues with permits but it could also lead to an unsafe building. The cost of a professional, licensed, and experienced engineer is well worth the investment.
The process of hiring a structural engineer starts by finding reliable professionals in your area and comparing quotes from at least three of them. From there, you can narrow down your selection by asking some leading questions:
Do you have experience working in my specific area?
Do you have professional indemnity insurance?
What will your structural report cover?
Do you charge a flat fee for a structural report or by the hour?
How long have you been in business?
Do you have a list of customer references?
Structural engineers typically charge between $100 and $250 per hour, but many jobs won’t be based on a per-hour fee. Instead, the structural engineer will offer a flat rate for the inspection and structural calculations. The flat rate for a structural engineer costs an average of around $550, but you could see prices ranging from $300 to $800, depending on the complexity of your project and how easy it is to access certain parts of your home for the inspection.
Whether you’re building a new home or building an extension on your existing property, you will likely need both a structural engineer and an architect. A structural engineer will determine what loads your foundation and framing can safely handle, and an architect will draw plans according to those structural calculations to simplify the building process. You can start by contacting a structural engineer near you, as many work alongside architects and can get all of the prep work done at once.
From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.
A new steel I-beam is more durable than a wooden one. Learn what factors can affect steel I-beam installation costs and how to budget for this project.
Looking to expand your ceiling and send claustrophobia running for the hills? This guide covers the cost to vault a ceiling and factors that impact estimates.
A damaged main support beam can cause serious structural damage to your house. Learn how much it costs to replace a main house support beam.
Steel beams are critical framing components that support your house. Learn about steel beam sizes and how to determine what size steel beam you need.
Do you have a load-bearing wall standing between you and your projects that you want to remove? Learn about the cost of removing a load-bearing wall.
Learn why it might be a good idea to hire a structural engineer for a home inspection in addition to a general home inspector when you’re purchasing a home.
